Indians Oppose Dams

'We wish to express our concern about the possible building of a complex of hydroelectric dams on the Xingu river. If these large dams are constructed on the Volta Grande part of the Xingu river they will affect indigenous peoples, agricultural communities, the forest and its biodiversity and harm life in the Xingu river basin.

We are totally opposed to Belo Monte [one of the large dams] because the Xingu river is our life. The death of the river threatens our lives, our future, our people, and our children and grandchildren.

Any interference with the XIngu will cause the extinction of game animals, of fish and will profoundly affect our lands and our health.

We indigenous peoples wish to live and to breath the Xingu river. Its water are the source of life and we don't want to die. We will not give up on life and we will not abandon our struggle. Our war cries are surging in our throats to oppose the enemy.

We want to gather together the indigenous peoples of the XIngu, the Kayapó of the Upper Xingu, the indigenous peoples of the Xingu National Park and of the Amazon and Brazil, and to invite our allies to a big meeting in Altamira where we will show the government of Brazil our indignation and our position against the large scale projects which it is implementing and which are destroying Amazonia.

We ask for support and help from national and international institutions so that the communities can fully participate in this big meeting.

Altamira, 3 June 2007

Signed by:

Xikrin indigenous peoples of Pykajakà, Potikro, Bacajá, Mrotidjam communities;

Kayapó indigenous peoples of Kikretum, Kokraimoro, Pukararankre, Kendjam, Moikarakô, Kôkôkuedjà, Kararaô communities

Araweté indigenous people of Igarapé Ipixuna

Parakanã indigenous people of Apyterewa

Asurini indigenous people of the Xingu

Juruna indigenous people of Pakisamba and Km 17 communities;

Xipaya indigenous people

Kuruaya, indigenous people

Arara indigenous people of Volta Grande, Laranjal and Cachoeira Seca communities in Pará

Apinajé indigenous people

Tembé indigenous people

Gavião indigenous people of Rondônia

Karitiana indigenous people